Trailer-mounted atomizer

ABSTRACT

In a trailer-mounted atomizer, preset to be towed with a tractor ( 2 ) and including a spreading apparatus ( 1 ) fed from a tank ( 3 ) and a trailer ( 4 ) with a towing drawbar ( 5 ), the tank ( 3 ) is fixed directly onto the trailer ( 4 ), and the towing drawbar ( 5 ) of the trailer ( 4 ) is articulated to the tractor ( 2 ) by way of the spreading apparatus ( 1 ), this latter being removably fixed to the tractor ( 2 ).

The present invention concerns an atomizer, particularly atrailer-mounted atomizer.

There are known to be at present, available on the market and widelyused, trailer-mounted atomizers which comprise a spreading apparatus fedfrom a tank, containing the treating substances to be spread, and atrailer carrying both the apparatus and the tank, said trailer beingtowed by vehicles, as for example tractors.

Nevertheless, this type of arrangement has always involved problems asfar as use and maintenance, since it fairly often happens that thetowing means are not suited to allow the trailer to follow the wantedtrajectories, while the means transmitting the motion from the tractorto the atomizer are subject to undesired and even dangerous stresses,due to the paths having to be followed and to the unevenness of theground. In fact, in many types of cultivations, particularly orchards orvineyards, a tractor towing a trailer-mounted atomizer has often greatdifficulties in following the set mixed courses, often forming verysharp curves, which the arrangement of the plants require to follow inorder to spread the treating substance in a complete, efficient anduniform manner. It is besides evident that, during the spreadingtreatment, the tractor has to work on grounds which are often rough anduneven. The spreading of the treating substances thereby risks not to bealways effective, while the undesired stresses on the connecting jointbetween the towing drawbar of the trailer and the tractor, and on thecardan shaft transmitting the motion from the tractor to the atomizer,compel the user to carry out tiresome, sometimes frequent and oftencostly, maintenance operations.

The main object of the present invention is to supply a trailer-mountedatomizer, the towing of which is obtained in a manner such as to allowperforming more easily the manoeuvres on the bends of the coursesfollowed by the tractor, and transmitting the motion from the tractor tothe atomizer without changing the position of the cardan shaft, alsoalong bends, on humps, and so on.

Another object of the present invention is to supply a trailer-mountedatomizer, the towing of which is obtained in a manner such as to reduceto a minimum the stresses produced thereon by the unevenness of theground on which it operates.

According to a first essential aspect of the present invention, in atrailer-mounted atomizer preset to be towed with a tractor andcomprising a spreading apparatus fed from a tank and a trailer with atowing drawbar, said tank is fixed directly onto the trailer and thetowing drawbar of the trailer is articulated to the tractor by way ofthe spreading apparatus, this latter being removably fixed to thetractor. Suitably, the motion is transmitted from the tractor to theatomizer by means of a cardan shaft interposed between the tractor andthe spreading apparatus and always keeping in a substantially horizontalposition.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the towingdrawbar of the trailer is connected to the base of the spreadingapparatus by means of an articulated joint with vertical axis, and thespreading apparatus is removably fixed to the tractor by being suspendedto the draw-hook of said tractor, onto which it is also held by jackmeans.

In a preferred embodiment of the atomizer according to the presentinvention, adjustable connection means are provided between thespreading apparatus and the tractor and, respectively, between thetrailer and the spreading apparatus, to make the distance between theaxis of said articulated joint and the axis of the rear wheels of thetractor at least approximately equal to the distance between the axis ofsaid articulated joint and the axis of the wheels of the trailer.

The first of said connection means consist of a plurality of holesformed on the base of the spreading apparatus, to allow connecting thesame in different positions, by way of a pin, to an end eyelet of thedraw-hook of the tractor.

The second of said connection means comprise, in turn, a square barconnected to said articulated joint and apt to be inserted into the endof the towing drawbar of the trailer, which consists of a square-sectiontube of corresponding shape, vertical holes and pairs of holes beingrespectively provided on said bar and on said tube, to connect theselast ones in different positions by inserting a pin into one of saidholes and pairs of holes.

Furthermore, to the articulated joint with vertical axis there arepreferably associated an articulated joint with horizontal axis and arotating joint, the axis of which coincides with the longitudinal axisof the towing drawbar of the trailer.

The invention will now be described in further detail, with reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated on the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the trailer-mounted atomizer according tothe present invention, hitched to a tractor drawing the same;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the trailer-mounted atomizer drawn by thetractor, illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows the possibilities ofrotation of the trailer in respect of the tractor;

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the same ensemble of FIG. 2 during use,while moving along a curved path;

FIG. 4 shows the adjustable connection means between the spreadingapparatus and the tractor, according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the adjustable connection means between the trailercarrying the tank and the spreading apparatus, according to the presentinvention, and also illustrates the joint with horizontal axis and therotating joint, associated to the joint with vertical axis of theatomizer; and

FIGS. 6a to 6 c illustrate the various freedoms of movement of thetrailer in respect of the tractor, in the trailer-mounted atomizeraccording to the present invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates atrailer-mounted atomizer according to the present invention, in itsensemble, comprising a spreading apparatus 1 hitched to a tractor 2. Theapparatus 1 is fed from a tank 3 fixedly positioned on a trailer 4having a towing drawbar 5 which comprises, close to its free end, anarticulated joint 6 with vertical axis.

According to the invention, the spreading apparatus 1 is removably fixedto the tractor 2 by being suspended to the draw-hook 7A of said tractor2, onto which it is also held by jack means 7B. A cardan shaft 8transmits the motion from the tractor 2 to the atomizer and, beinginterposed between the tractor 2 and the spreading apparatus 1 (which ishitched to the tractor), it always keeps in a substantially horizontalposition.

FIG. 1 also clearly shows how the distance between the axis of saidarticulated joint 6 and the axis of the rear wheels 9 of the tractor 2is equal to the distance between the axis of said articulated joint 6and the axis of the wheels 10 of the trailer 4.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates how the articulated joint 6—whoseaxis is substantially vertical and thus, as a rule, substantiallyperpendicular to the ground—allows the trailer 4 (of which FIG. 2 showsonly the wheels 10 and the tank 3 fixedly positioned thereon) to performbends of about 90° in respect of the tractor moving forward direction.

As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the trailer 4 drawn by the tractor 2 is aptto exactly follow the same course followed by said tractor, whilespreading the treating substances, since the articulated joint 6 allowsthe trailer 4 to more or less keep the same bending radius of thetractor, thanks to the substantially equal distances between its axisand the axes of the tractor wheels 9 and, respectively, of the trailerwheels 10. As explained in detail hereinafter, according to theinvention said equal distances are obtained by providing adjustableconnection means between the spreading apparatus 1 and the tractor 2and, respectively, between the trailer 4 and the spreading apparatus 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates in detail the connection means between the spreadingapparatus 1 and the tractor 2 (not shown on the drawing). Said meansensure an accurate adjustment of the distance between the axis of thevertical articulated joint 6, mounted on the base 11 of the spreadingapparatus 1, and the axis of the rear wheels 9 of the tractor 2. Suchmeans consist of a plurality of holes 12 formed on said base 11 to allowengaging in different positions, by way of a pin 13, the apparatus 1into the end eyelet 7C of the draw-hook 7A of said tractor 2, andthereby vary the distance between the axis of the joint 6 and the axisof the wheels 9. Besides being suspended with its base 11 to thedraw-hook 7A of the tractor 2, the apparatus 1 is quite firmly held ontosaid tractor by at least one jack 78 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 5 illustrates in detail the connection means between the spreadingapparatus 1 and the trailer 4 (not shown on the drawing). Said meansensure an accurate adjustment of the distance between the axis of thevertical articulated joint 6, mounted on the base 11 of the spreadingapparatus 1, and the axis of the wheels 10 of the trailer 4. Such meansconsist of a short square bar 14 connected to the articulated joint 6 ofthe base 11 of the apparatus 1 and provided with a plurality of verticalholes 15. Said bar 14 is apt to be inserted into the end of the towingdrawbar 5, which consists of a square-section tube of correspondingshape and comprises one or more pairs of vertical holes 16, into whichsaid bar 14 is engaged by way of a pin 17; the distance between the axisof the wheels 10 of the trailer 4 and the axis of the articulated joint6 can thus be adjusted by engaging the vertical holes 15 and 16, by wayof said pin 17, in the different required positions.

It is hence evident that, with the aforedescribed adjustable connectionmeans according to the present invention, it is very simple andpractical to obtain the double adjustment between the atomizer and thetractor having to draw the same, since no precautions are required otherthan a careful choice of the holes 15 and 16 having to be engaged by wayof the pin 17, namely, an accurate study of the distances—which shouldbe practically equal—between the axis of the articulated joint 6 and theaxes of the wheels 9 and respectively 10.

As also illustrated in FIG. 5, according to the invention a secondarticulated joint 18 with horizontal axis is moreover associated to thearticulated joint 6 with vertical axis mounted on the base 11 of thespreading apparatus 1; said joint 18 allows the trailer 4 to performoscillations also about a substantially horizontal axis, and thussubstantially parallel to the axis of the wheels 10 of the trailer 4 andof the wheels 9 of the tractor 2. Furthermore, according to theinvention, it is also possible to connect the ensemble of said twojoints 6 and 18 to the square bar 14, connecting the trailer 4 to thetowing drawbar 5, by means of a third rotating joint 19 consisting of acylinder 20 welded to said bar 14, into which rotates a pin connected tothe joint 18. This third joint 1 9 allows to perform rotations about anaxis substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the towingdrawbar 5 of the trailer 4.

FIGS. 6a to 6 c clearly illustrate the various freedoms of movement ofthe trailer 4 carrying the tank 3 of the atomizer according to theinvention, while the apparatus 1 of the atomizer, spreading the treatingsubstances, remains substantially fixed to the drawing tractor 2. Suchfreedoms of movement allow to drastically limit the unwantedstresses—determined by the difficulties of the set courses and by theroughness and unevenness of the ground—on the whole atomizer and on itscomponents, particularly those of connection to the tractor 2. On theother hand, and according to the main object of the invention, theaforedescribed and illustrated atomizer is apt—always thanks to saidfreedoms of movement—to exactly follow (namely “reproduce”) the path ofthe tractor (as shown in FIG. 3) also on the mixed courses formingparticularly sharp bends, thereby increasing the roadholding andreducing the risks of turnover compared to those of known technique, andis above all apt to ensure a very uniform spreading of the treatingsubstance over the cultivations, according to the wishes of theoperator.

For what concerns the undesired stresses which, in known technique,hamper the motion transmission from the tractor to the atomizer, theyare totally eliminated since, according to the invention, the cardanshaft 8 constantly keeps its substantially horizontal position—whateverthe position of the trailer 4 in respect of the tractor 2—due to thefact that said shaft is interposed between the actual tractor and thespreading apparatus 1 which is fixedly hitched thereto.

It should finally be taken into account that the solution according tothe invention allows to easily and rapidly connect the atomizer tovarious types of tractors and draw-hooks, always keeping substantiallyequal the distances between the axis of the articulated joint 6 and theaxes of the wheels 9 of the tractor 2 and, respectively, of the wheels10 of the trailer 4. It can thus no doubt be defined as being ofuniversal use.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention has been describedheretofore; it can however be easily understood that any modificationsand variants may be introduced therein, all within reach of a personskilled in the art, without thereby departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Trailer-mounted atomizer preset to be towed witha tractor, comprising: a trailer (4); a tank (3) fixed directly onto thetrailer; a spreading apparatus (1) fed from the tank (3) and removablyfixed to the tractor (2); and a towing drawbar (5) attached to thetrailer and articulated to the tractor (2) by the spreading apparatus(1), wherein the towing drawbar (5) of the trailer (4) is connected to abase (11) of the spreading apparatus (1) by an articulated joint (6)with a vertical axis, and the spreading apparatus (1) is removably fixedto the tractor (2) by being suspended to a draw-hook (7A) of saidtractor, onto which tractor the spreading apparatus is also held by jackmeans (7B).
 2. Atomizer as in claim 1, wherein a motion is transmittedfrom the tractor (2) to the spreading apparatus by a cardan shaft (8),the cardan shaft attached to the tractor (2) and the spreading apparatus(1).
 3. Atomizer as in claim 1, wherein, adjustable connection means areprovided between the spreading apparatus (1) and the tractor (2) and,respectively, between the trailer (4) and the spreading apparatus (1),to make a distance between the vertical axis of said articulated joint(6) and an axis of the rear wheels (9) of the tractor (2) at leastapproximately equal to a distance between the vertical axis of saidarticulated joint (6) and an axis of wheels (10) of the trailer (4). 4.Atomizer as in claim 3, wherein the adjustable connection means includesa first connection means comprising a plurality of holes (12) formed onthe base (11) of the spreading apparatus (1) to allow connecting thespreading machine in different positions, by way of a pin (13), to anend eyelet (7C) of the draw-hook (7A) of the tractor (2).
 5. Atomizer asin claim 4, wherein, a second connection means comprises a square bar(14) connected to the articulated joint (6) and apt to be inserted intoan end of the trailer towing drawbar (5), which square bar comprises asquare-section tube of corresponding shape to the drawbar, verticalholes (15) and pairs of holes (16) are respectively provided on said barand on said tube, to connect the bar and tube in different positions byinserting a pin (17) into one of said holes (15) and pairs of holes(16).
 6. Atomizer as in claim 1, wherein, to the articulated joint (6)with vertical axis there is associated an articulated joint (18) withhorizontal axis.
 7. Atomizer as in claim 6, wherein, to the articulatedjoints with vertical axis (6) and with horizontal axis (18) there isassociated a rotating joint (19), an axis of which rotating jointcoincides with a longitudinal axis of the towing drawbar (5) of thetrailer (4).
 8. Trailer-mounted atomizer preset to be towed with atractor, comprising: a trailer (4) connectable to a draw-hook (7A) ofthe tractor; a tank fixed directly onto the trailer; a spreadingapparatus (1) fed from the tank (3) and removably fixed to the tractor(2) by being suspended to the draw-hook (7A) and held by jack means(7B); and a towing drawbar (5) attached to the trailer and to a base(11) of the spreading apparatus by an articulated joint (6) with avertical axis, the towing drawbar being articulated to the tractor (2)by the spreading apparatus (1).
 9. Atomizer as in claim 8, wherein amotion is transmitted from the tractor (2) to the atomizer by a cardanshaft (8), the cardan shaft interposed between the tractor (2) and thespreading apparatus (1).
 10. Atomizer as in claim 8, wherein, adjustableconnection means are provided between the spreading apparatus (1) andthe tractor (2) and, respectively, between the trailer (4) and thespreading apparatus (1), to make a distance between the vertical axis ofsaid articulated joint (6) and an axis of the rear wheels (9) of thetractor (2) at least approximately equal to a distance between thevertical axis of said articulated joint (6) and an axis of wheels (10)of the trailer (4).
 11. Atomizer as in claim 10, wherein the adjustableconnection means includes a first connection means comprising aplurality of holes (12) formed on the base (11) of the spreadingapparatus (1) to allow connecting the spreading machine in differentpositions, by way of a pin (13), to an end eyelet (7C) of the draw-hook(7A) of the tractor (2).
 12. Atomizer as in claim 11, wherein, a secondconnection means comprises a square bar (14) connected to thearticulated joint (6) and apt to be inserted into an end of the trailertowing drawbar (5), which square bar comprises a square-section tube ofcorresponding shape to the drawbar, vertical holes (15) and pairs ofholes (16) are respectively provided on said bar and on said tube, toconnect the bar and tube in different positions by inserting a pin (17)into one of said holes (15) and pairs of holes (16).
 13. Atomizer as inclaim 8, wherein, to the articulated joint (6) with vertical axis thereis associated an articulated joint (18) with horizontal axis. 14.Atomizer as in claim 13, wherein, to the articulated joints withvertical axis (6) and with horizontal axis (18) there is associated arotating joint (19), an axis of which rotating joint coincides with alongitudinal axis of the towing drawbar (5) of the trailer (4). 15.Trailer-mounted atomizer preset to be towed with a tractor, comprising:a trailer (4) connectable to a draw-hook (7A) of the tractor; a tankfixed directly onto the trailer; a spreading apparatus (1) fed from thetank (3) and removably fixed to the tractor (2); and a towing drawbar(5) attached to the trailer and to a base (11) of the spreadingapparatus by an articulated joint (6) with a vertical axis, the towingdrawbar being articulated to the tractor (2) by the spreading apparatus(1).
 16. Atomizer as in claim 15, wherein the spreading apparatus isremovably fixed to the tractor (2) by being suspended to the draw-hook(7A) and held by jack means (7B).
 17. Atomizer as in claim 16, wherein amotion is transmitted from the tractor (2) to the atomizer by a cardanshaft (8), the cardan shaft interposed between the tractor (2) and thespreading apparatus (1).
 18. Atomizer as in claim 15, wherein,adjustable connection means are provided between the spreading apparatus(1) and the tractor (2) and, respectively, between the trailer (4) andthe spreading apparatus (1), to make a distance between the verticalaxis of said articulated joint (6) and an axis of the rear wheels (9) ofthe tractor (2) at least approximately equal to a distance between thevertical axis of said articulated joint (6) and an axis of wheels (10)of the trailer (4), the adjustable connection means includes a firstconnection means comprising a plurality of holes (12) formed on the base(11) of the spreading apparatus (1) to allow connecting the spreadingmachine in different positions, by way of a pin (13), to an end eyelet(7C) of the draw-hook (7A) of the tractor (2), and a second connectionmeans comprises a square bar (14) connected to the articulated joint (6)and apt to be inserted into an end of the trailer towing drawbar (5),which square bar comprises a square-section tube of corresponding shapeto the drawbar, vertical holes (15) and pairs of holes (16) arerespectively provided on said bar and on said tube, to connect the barand tube in different positions by inserting a pin (17) into one of saidholes (15) and pairs of holes (16).
 19. Atomizer as in claim 15,wherein, an articulated joint (18) with horizontal axis is associatedwith the articulated joint (6) with vertical axis, a rotating joint (19)is associated with the articulated joints with vertical axis (6) andwith horizontal axis (18), and an axis of the rotating joint coincideswith a longitudinal axis of the towing drawbar (5).